Big East Team Previews: No Kemba Walker, but Connecticut still team to beat

APConnecticut's Tyler Olander, left, is defended by American International's Braxton Gardner in the first half of an NCAA college exhibition basketball game Nov. 2 in Storrs, Conn.

1. Connecticut Coach: Jim Calhoun AP preseason rank: No. 4 Last year: 32-9 (9-9 Big East); Big East, NCAA champion vs. SU last year: lost 66-58 at home; won 76-61 (OT) in Big East Tournament Outlook: Connecticut will be without Kemba Walker, but four starters return from last year's NCAA championship team. A host of young players, including Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier and Roscoe Smith, gained experience last year and will take on larger roles. The addition of 6-11 freshman Andre Drummond puts UConn among this year’s national title contenders.

3. LouisvilleCoach: Rick Pitino AP Preseason rank: No. 9 Last year: 25-10 (12-6); lost in first game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: won 73-69 at home Outlook: Pitino employs a guard-oriented lineup for maximum 3-point exposure and brings five freshmen to Louisville this season -- including two McDonald's AA forwards in Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear. Behanan looks as if he could contribute immediately. Kyle Kuric returns as arguably the Cardinals' best 3-point threat and Peyton Siva will run the Louisville show. Gorgui Dieng is a rebounding, shot-blocking force inside.

4. PittsburghCoach: Jamie Dixon AP preseason rank: No. 5 Last year: 28-6 (15-3); lost in second game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: won 74-66 at home Outlook: Ashton Gibbs, the Big East's preseason player of the year, returns for his senior year. Tray Woodall must replace Brad Wanamaker in the backcourt. Nasir Robinson is back. Dante Taylor and Talib Zanna must show improvement up front. Watch for 6-9 freshman Khem Birch of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec.

5. CincinnatiCoach: Mick Cronin AP Preseason rank: No. 21 Last year: 26-9 (11-7); lost in second game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: lost 67-52 at Dome Outlook: Yancy Gates anchors an always-menacing Cincinnati front line. Cincinnati offers tough, physical defense and presence on the boards, but the Bearcats also return point guard Cashmere Wright and shooting guard Dion Dixon, plus swingman Sean Kilpatrick, who proved he could score in bunches for an otherwise anemic offense.

6. MarquetteCoach: Buzz Williams AP preseason rank: No. 22 Last year: 22-15 (9-9); lost in Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: won 76-70 at home; won 66-62 in NCAA Tournament Outlook: Marquette has won at least 20 games and gone to the NCAA Tournament in each of Williams' three years at the school. The Golden Eagles return All-Big East pick Darius Johnson-Odom, senior forward Jae Crowder and starting center Chris Otule. The development of sophomore Vander Blue could be a key to Marquette's success.

7. West VirginiaCoach: Bob Huggins AP Preseason rank: Unranked Last year: 21-12 (11-7); lost in second game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: lost 63-52 at Dome Outlook: Kevin Jones is eschewing his desire to shoot the 3-ball and concentrating on doing more of the inside dirty work. He's the Mountaineers' best player and with Truck Bryant at the point, WVa will be plenty tough. The Mountaineers will get a boost of experience from Turkish center Deniz Kilicli, who was an intriguing offensive option.

8. VillanovaCoach: Jay Wright AP preseason rank: unranked Last year: 21-12 (9-9); lost in first game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: won 83-72 at Dome; lost 69-64 at home Outlook: Long-time starters Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher are gone. Wright will field a young, but talented team. He'll ask Maalik Wayns, Dominic Cheek and Mouphtaou Yarou to fill larger roles. James Bell is the ultimate glue-guy. JayVaughn Pinkston, who was suspended last season, will be a key addition.

9. Notre DameCoach: Mike Brey AP Preseason rank: unranked Last year: 27-7 (14-4); lost in second game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: lost 70-58 at Dome
Outlook: There are few conference players as versatile as Tim Abromaitis, with his ability to score inside and out. He's joined by Scott Martin, another big body on the perimeter, and a point guard who showed promise last season. Erik Atkins will be asked to shoulder a big load with the departure of Ben Hansbrough.

10. GeorgetownCoach: John Thompson III AP preseason rank: unranked Last year: 21-11 (10-8); lost in first game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: won 64-56 in Dome; lost 58-51 at home Outlook: Austin Freeman and Chris Wright were around forever, but now they're gone. As a result, this looks to be a rebuilding year for the Hoyas. Jason Clark is the only full-time starter back. Hollis Thompson and Nate Lubick bring some starting experience. Otto Porter, a 6-8 forward, highlights a big freshman class.

11. RutgersCoach: Mike Rice AP Preseason rank: unranked Last year: 15-17 (5-13) vs. SU last year: lost 84-80 (OT) at Dome Outlook: Dane Miller, who played high school ball in Rochester, swears he's improved his jump shot. And Gilvydas Biruta is as interesting a player as there is in the league. An All-Big East rookie pick, Biruta is a tough kid who can score. The big problem with Rutgers is its youth and inexperience.

12. St. John'sCoach: Steve Lavin AP preseason rank: unranked
Last year: 21-12 (12-6); lost in first game of NCAA Tournament vs. SU last year: lost 76-59 at home; lost 79-73 in Big East Tournament Outlook: St. John's lost the top eight scorers off last year's team. Malik Stith is the only scholarship player who returned. In his second year, Lavin reloaded with a huge recruiting class. Unfortunately, three players were deemed ineligible. Maurice Harkless, a 6-8 freshman from Queens, will be asked to play a major role.

13. Seton Hall Coach: Kevin Willard AP Preseason rank: unranked Last year: 13-18 (7-11) vs. SU last year: lost 61-56 at home, won 90-68 at Dome Outlook: Jeremy Hazell has finally exhausted his eligibility; but Herb Pope is back. The Seton Hall big man will shoulder the rebounding load and perhaps some of the scoring load on a team that traditionally looks to push the pace. Jordan Theodore is a capable point guard and slasher Fuquan Edwin showed signs of being a player as a freshman.

14. South FloridaCoach: Stan Heath AP preseason rank: unranked Last year: 10-23 (3-15) vs. SU last year: lost 72-49 in Dome Outlook: South Florida will rely on 6-10 center Augustus Gilchrist. The key will be keeping the All-Big East candidate healthy. Four other returning players started at least 10 games last year. Blake Nash, a junior college transfer with three years of eligibility left, could step in and run the point.

15. ProvidenceCoach: Ed Cooley AP Preseason rank: unranked Last year: 15-17 (4-14) no postseason vs. SU last year: lost 81-74 at Dome Outlook: Marshon Brooks and his nearly 25 points per game are gone. The Friars could always score, but never defended. Perhaps Cooley will change that culture. Vincent Council is a decent point guard and if Bilal Dixon can avoid foul trouble, he might be a player.

16. DePaulCoach: Oliver Purnell AP preseason rank: unranked Last year: 7-23 (1-17) vs. SU last year: lost 107-59 in Dome Outlook: DePaul won just one Big East game last season, but there was hope as the Blue Demons' top two players were freshmen. DePaul must hope that Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young will continue to develop as sophomores. A five-player freshmen class plus Miami transfer Donnavan Kirk will provide more depth.